The School of Pharmacy offers an undergraduate program leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy). This degree is designed to prepare graduates for careers primarily in community and hospital settings but also in the pharmaceutical industry, pharmacy organizations, health sciences research, government, and educational environments. After successful completion of national examinations, a graduate of the program is eligible to apply to be licensed as a pharmacist in Newfoundland and Labrador and other provinces in Canada.

The program of study leading to the Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy) degree has two phases and requires at least five years to complete. Prior to entry to the program students will acquire a background in the mathematical and physical sciences. Once in the program students will take courses in the basic health sciences, pharmacy sub-specialties and social/administrative sciences. At the end of each year students will have an opportunity to apply the academic knowledge acquired and to develop and practice patient care skills by participating in experiential learning within community and hospital settings. During the program students will develop an understanding of the professional and societal responsibilities of a pharmacist, and will recognize the need for lifelong learning.

3.1 Structured Practice Experience

Students are required to successfully complete all experiential components of the program, including the Structured Practice Experience (SPE). During SPE’s students are placed in a variety of pharmacy practice settings and are brought into direct contact with patients, pharmacists and other health professionals. Students become involved in the practice of pharmaceutical care and are expected to assume increasing responsibility as their education advances. Such practice experiences ensure students are exposed to situations which cannot be provided in the classroom.

The Joint Committee on Structured Practice Experience, consisting of representatives from both the School of Pharmacy and the Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board, is responsible for providing the overall direction for the program and recommending policies and procedures for its operation.

Students will be placed at sites by the School. The Structured Practice Experience Co-ordinator liaises with students to determine placements.

While every effort will be made to accommodate a student's request to complete SPEs in a specific location, a student may be assigned to any participating site within the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Students are responsible for all travel and accommodation costs associated with the SPE.

Students who conduct themselves in such a manner as to cause their termination from the SPE site, including breaches in confidentiality, violation of policies and professional misconduct will be assigned a grade of FAL (fail) for that SPE.

Students are required to provide evidence of a valid certificate, normally, in St. John Ambulance or Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid Level C that is valid for the duration of the SPE. Equivalent certificates will be considered and assessed on an individual basis for acceptability.

Students are required to complete three SPEs, each of four weeks duration, and one SPE of twelve weeks duration. The first three SPEs are completed at the end of the Winter semester in the first, second, and third years of the program. The final SPE is completed in the Winter semester of the final year of the program.

The number of hours per week of the SPE program will be as required by CCAPP standards.

Students will be evaluated on their performance during the SPE and on written assignments including workbooks, pharmaceutical care case work-ups and drug information requests. Students may have workbooks audited or they may be formally examined on material learned during the SPE period. The overall evaluation of SPEs will result in the assignment of one of the following grades: PWD (pass with distinction), PAS (pass), or FAL (fail).